Hollywood Remembers Craig Zadan: Kevin Bacon, Neil Patrick Harris And Others Pay Tribute To Prolific Producer
Refresh for updates Hollywood figures and celebrities took to Twitter to honor prolific producer Craig Zadan, who died Tuesday after complications following shoulder replacement surgery.
Zadan is known for championing musical theater and produced Oscar telecasts as well as the Academy Award-winning film adaptation of the musical Chicago. He is also known for bringing live musical events to NBC including The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, the Wiz, Hairspray, and most recently, Jesus Christ Superstar. He was set to produce the forthcoming live TV productions Bye Bye Birdie, A Few Good Men and Hair.
Among those to give their condolences was Kevin Bacon, who starred in 1984’s Footloose which Zadan produced. “Wow so sad to hear about Craig Zadan,” tweeted Bacon. “He had music and dance in his soul. And when people are dancing and singing the world is a better place. RIP Craig and Cut Loose!”
Neil Patrick Harris tweeted, “I’m stunned and saddened the unexpected passing of Craig Zadan. He’s been a friend my entire adult life, championed me to host the Oscars, brought musical theatre back to TV. A wonderful, kind spirit. My sincere condolences to his family and his partner, Elwood. #RIP”
Frequent collaborator Kristen Chenoweth honored Zadan as well: “Annie, The Music Man, Promises, Hairspray… Craig, you were there with me from the beginning. This is a true loss not only for me, but for the world. Rest in peace, sweetheart.”
Broadway vet and the original Edna Turnblad from the Hairspray stage musical, Harvey Fierstein tweeted:
“Shocking news of the loss of Craig Zadan. WTF????”
John Legend, who starred in NBC’s live concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar also remembered Zadan: “RIP to our friend Craig. He produced Jesus Christ Superstar with us and also produced the Oscars when Common and I sang “Glory” in front of a replica of the Pettus Bridge. A wonderful producer and a lovely man.”
Another Broadway fave and Will & Grace star Sean Hayes said, “I am devastated by the news of the passing of my dear friend and film, tv & Broadway producer, @craigzadan. My life and career were forever changed by the opportunities he and his producing partner, @neilmeron, provided me over the years. I will miss him, dearly.”
Joe Iconis, who wrote music for TV’s Smash and currently has an Off Broadway hit in Be More Chill told Deadline: “Craig was incredibly supportive of my work and had the reputation of being a ludicrously nice man. A fella who supports the work of new musical theater writers and is a kind upstanding human being? Unheard of. What a unicorn.”
Katie Couric added to the tribute saying, “This is so heartbreaking. A wonderful man and a brilliant producer.”
In 2012, GLAAD honored Zadan and his producing partner Neil Meron with the Vito Russo Award. President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis paid her respects saying, “Craig Zadan was a giant in the entertainment industry and brought joy to American audiences for years, all while accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people along the way. Our hearts go out to his partner, Elwood Hopkins, as well as his producing partner, Neil Meron.”
The American Theatre Wing and the Tony Awards also gave their condolences as well as numerous noted Hollywood figures and stars from stage and screen including Adam Shankman (who directed the Zadan-produced Hairspray movie adaptation), Smash star Debra Messing, Leslie Grossman, Lance Bass, Michael Chiklis, Gale Anne Hurd and others.
Read the tweets below.
Wow so sad to hear about Craig Zadan. He had music and dance in his soul. And when people are dancing and singing the world is a better place. RIP Craig and Cut Loose!
— Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon) August 22, 2018
I’m stunned and saddened the unexpected passing of Craig Zadan. He’s been a friend my entire adult life, championed me to host the Oscars, brought musical theatre back to TV. A wonderful, kind spirit. My sincere condolences to his family and his partner, Elwood. #RIP pic.twitter.com/BWLDmViJar
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 22, 2018
Annie, The Music Man, Promises, Hairspray… Craig, you were there with me from the beginning. This is a true loss not only for me, but for the world. Rest in peace, sweetheart. pic.twitter.com/tl2rEtMNBM
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) August 22, 2018
I am devastated by the news of the passing of my dear friend and film, tv & Broadway producer, @craigzadan. My life and career were forever changed by the opportunities he and his producing partner, @neilmeron, provided me over the years. I will miss him, dearly. pic.twitter.com/SoPSZCCrkE
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) August 22, 2018
In shock….Craig Zadan, my colleague and producer of Hairspray and so many musicals has passed…. prayers for him and his loved ones….I’m so confused and disoriented….he and… https://t.co/wy17UOJIUj
— Adam Shankman (@adammshankman) August 22, 2018
I just found out that Craig Zadan has passed on. He and his producing partner @neilmeron are responsible for one of the most meaningful professional experiences in my career. They brought… https://t.co/y5PP1LRiQz
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 22, 2018
He was all class. I’ll miss him.
— Leslie Odom, Jr. (@leslieodomjr) August 22, 2018
One of my secret shames is I cannot listen to "Without Love" without bursting in tears during the key change
— Leslie Grossman (@MissLeslieG) August 22, 2018
Devastated to hear of Craig Zadan's sudden passing. He was a true gentleman and a thoughtful, sensitive and tremendously talented producer. My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace Craig.
— Michael Chiklis (@MichaelChiklis) August 22, 2018
I’m absolutely shocked to hear that Craig Zadan has passed away. He dedicated his life to bringing musical theater to the masses and succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. My condolences to his family and his producing partner @neilmeron. https://t.co/aoJk4H7QNe
— Rory O'Malley (@RoryOMalley) August 22, 2018
Shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of @craigzadan. A wonderful producer and even better friend. Thanks for sharing your art with the world Craig.
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) August 22, 2018
Can’t believe we lost @craigzadan. He brought so much to our community and our art form. A beautiful and supportive soul.
— NICK ADAMS (@TheNickAdams) August 22, 2018
Rest in peace to Tony Nominee, Producer Craig Zadan https://t.co/DXQIy5XNNF
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) August 22, 2018
Today, we celebrate the life of Craig Zadan, Oscars producer and dear friend to the Academy. His talent, spirit and dedication to film have inspired us all. pic.twitter.com/X25g8yPb32
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 22, 2018
We're so sad to hear about the passing of the incredible producer Craig Zadan. We honored Craig at the #GLAADawards in 2012 for accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people through his work. Our love goes out to his partner Elwood Hopkins and his producing partner Neil Meron. pic.twitter.com/OAfaXtOmUX
— GLAAD (@glaad) August 22, 2018
Rest In Peace Craig Zadan. I feel honoured to have worked with you. Your creative and artistic spirit will be missed…. https://t.co/xAW0CeUYPw
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) August 22, 2018
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